Lions make first grand final in years

AUSSIE RULES: Moreton Bay Lions captain Jackson Dickfos has been through the wars this season.

The heart-on-the-sleeve leader missed extended periods with a torn retina and most recently a stress fracture in his lower leg.

But nothing was going to stop him playing in last weekend's preliminary final.

The Lions survived a last-quarter scare from Kenmore to run out 13.8-86- 11.9-75 winners on Saturday to book a spot in this week's inaugural QFA division two grand final against bitter rivals Aspley Hornets.

Dickfos said he was in rehab with fellow injured leader Lincoln Simmons when he decided it was now or never.

"When we joined the club three years ago we made a pact to get success and it didn't sit well with me being on the sidelines watching,” he said.

"Before we even got to the club, it had been through a 608-day drought without a win.

"We draw from that.

"All the hard work, the serious conversations, late nights and tough seasons.

"We created a brotherhood. We believe we've already won by creating a group we can trust so much outside of footy but we want to take that scalp that makes it all the more special.”

Dickfos played at the weekend with a stress fracture in his tibia and somehow managed to squeeze into the best players.

He has put his hand up to play again this week, while Simmons is in a race to get fit in time.

The Lions were embarrassed by the Hornets in the previous week's semi-final but beat them in the two regular-fixture matches earlier in the season.